Elf and Asia Culture

[xww]

Hey guys,When I was playing Elder Scroll 3(Morrwind),I found that there are lots of places that allude to Asian culture like Reincarnation，Dream of God，and Asian-style robe.It is strange to me as a Chinese to find so many Asia culture in a land of Elf. Because in fantasy culture circles of China and Japan,Elf is a a concept entirely of Western origin.

In fact，the word "Elf"itself is come form Norse mythology. And it is The Lord of the Rings, a novel which complete basic on Western Culture,which shaped the Elf of modern fantasy world.BUT today, there are ton of fantasy works like Warhammer,Warcraft,DND,and the Elder Scroll, relate Elf to Asia Culture. Some are intentional like High Elf in Warhammer Fantasy. Who live in a yin-yang island and uphold the concept of Balance. Or Night Elf in Warcraft 3 ,which use Torii (a holy symbol of Japan culture), to decorated their Moon Well.

Not to mention some……em……unfriendly stereotypes like high cheekbones, slanted eyes, mouse-like bread, clothing that confuses Chinese and Japanese styles, in some old school fantasy art like old DND book

Not to say I am offended.In fact lots of them are not hostile, and there are many Elf that just Norse Elf, But I am really curius about When and Why somebody relate a fiction so West to some thing so East,and why it become so papular

 

[minta]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[CupofJoe]

I've never thought of Elves as particularly Asian in look or style.
I used to play a Wood Elf army in Warhammer Fantasy Battle and they were very definitely inspired by the 1938 film The Adventure of Robin Hood. They all looked like The Merry Men, in hues of green and brown.
I do think of Dwarfs as some weird mix of Highland Scottish and Viking. I put that down to imagery used for them in WFB.

 

[xww]

I've never thought of Elves as particularly Asian in look or style.
I used to play a Wood Elf army in Warhammer Fantasy Battle and they were very definitely inspired by the 1938 film The Adventure of Robin Hood. They all looked like The Merry Men, in hues of green and brown.
I do think of Dwarfs as some weird mix of Highland Scottish and Viking. I put that down to imagery used for them in WFB.

Indeed,but I think High Elf used a lot of Asian symbol, in fact, Asur is from Asura, a kind of demon in Hindu culture

 

[Queshire]

Well, I'm not sure about the history, but I can understand why. A lot of traditional Asian cultural aspects are stereotyped as being graceful or elegant. That pairs nicely with the goal of Elves a lot of the time.

 

[Fyri]

This is the first I heard of elves being connected to Asia, actually! I wouldn't think it, since they seem to be stereotypically tall and white from my perspective. However, long hair, flowy robes, and calm, peaceful culture most interested in beauty and etiquette do connect to historical China from my knowledge, at least where it comes to royalty, so I can see the comparison!